Herpes

This iss a virus there are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV), type 1 and type 2. Both types are highly contagious. Type 1 is associated with the cold sores and Type 2 genital herpes.

How you get it:

Unprotected penetrative sex (vaginal or anal) and oral sex

Other genital skin to skin contact.

Even if someone with genital herpes doesn't have symptoms, it's possible for them to pass the condition on to a sexual partner

Symptoms:

Not everyone will get symptoms. The first attack the person may feel very unwell with flu-like symptoms with painful blisters around the genital area. It may be very painful to pee.

Recurrent infections although the initial symptoms of genital herpes clear up, the virus remains dormant (inactive) in a nearby nerve. The virus may be reactivated from time to time, travelling back down the nerve to your skin and causing recurrent outbreaks.

Treatment:

If you don’t have significant discomfort or pain from herpes, no treatment is required.

A course of antiviral tablets and/or ointment

If it’s not treated:

There’s no cure, and the blisters may come back, but the first outbreak is usually the worst, and often they don’t come back at all.